Mumsnet Talk

banterbus - yes, I have many stained clothes and bedding!! Sudocream and Germoline are good for a short time.

Blimmer - I've recently looked at Pantothenic Acid.

Just re the roaccutane and pregnancy. I took roaccutane 10 years ago. I had one course, I wasn't on it long. Can't remember exactly but only a couple of months or so.

It cleared it completely. I have had two children since then and no recurrence at all.

I took Roaccutane for 3 or 4 months (can't remember exactly as it was 5 years ago) in those 5 years since I've had less that 5 spots (not 5 outbreaks, 5 spots)for me the transformation has been amazing but it's not the same for everyone.

Glimmerberry- I found that worked better than anything else for me but I found it fairly expensive, and had to pay a custom charge once so didn't order the products again. Plus the issue with the BP bleaching everything in sight :-(

I agree with Glimmerberry, I had great success with that acne.org website. It recommends benzyl peroxide cream, but with very gentle face washing and moisturizing.
My acne wasnt terrible but it was v persistent/hormonal/cystic. I had tried lots of things, including creams which had benzyl peroxide. They seemed to make my face dry and flaky. This doesnt happen with the stuff im using now.
Maybe worth a try before going for the Roaccutaine? Good Luck

This is really helpful to see everyones comments re: Roaccutane. Might give me the strength to go and see the doctor for what feels like the 100th time about my skin.

Definitely see a dermatologist. My dsis had terrible skin problems and kept getting incorrect diagnoses from gps. She then saw a dermatologist and got diagnosed with rosacia and is so much better now after antibiotics.

Banterbus - Go for the 100th time and ask for a referral.

It usually takes about 2 months to start making a difference, but it can vary from person to person.

re. pregnancy, you have to sign to prove you are on proper contraception, and from what I can remember, if you were to get pregnant, you have to abort. That is because of the severe birth defects it could cause.

I think you have to wait min 6 months after taking it for the drug to get out of your system before getting pregnant.

Anyone who hasn't suffered with acne really doesn't understand the mental pain and anguish it can cause. Get some roaccutane and change your life.

I am like you ChuckyMuffin. Same age and have had acne for more than twenty years. It is a little better than it used to be but my back, neck and shoulders are scarred from me picking. I wear polo necks a lot.

The only things that have really helped me were being pg (but the acne returned after) and going abroad - the sun and sea really cleared it up.

I spent most of my teens and early twenties on different BCPs or ABs, with fairly poor results.

I really think I will have acne all my life.

banterbus I found I had to try everything else first before I got the referral to the consultant dermatologist for roaccutane, so yes you do have to be persistent - and then there's the wait for the appointment. But it's worth it.

I feel your pain. I have just started with witch hazel and tea tree toner and spot wand from boots and that is def helping. I was using benzoyl peroxide and was getting sore and the boots stuff has def calmed my skin down

I've now gone back to using Simple facial gel and vitamin E oil, which makes my hair greasy but that's better than dry flakey skin and bleached clothing from benzoyl peroxide gel

After reading lots of posts I think my acne probably isn't as bad as some, I don't have it on my back or shoulders, but my acne is very cystic and so painful. I can't bear to look in the mirror at times. Nobody that has not experienced acne can know how that feels.

I am going to go to see my doctor and see if she thinks I'm worth sending to a dermatologist.

Fingers crossed...

Not a total cure but b complex helped a bit but had to have a strong dose so either h&b b50 or b100. Mines definitely hormonal. Worse in second half of cycle. Bad in early pregnancy then perfect from 2nd tri then throughout bf.

My acne cleared a little when I started the 5:2 diet

I found this stuff to be brilliant: www.mariobadescu.com/Drying-Lotion?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping-feed&utm_campaign=product-feed&gdftrk=gdfV25180_a_7c1543_a_7c6102_a_7c83&gclid=CMOV1dTR-LUCFahDMgodyH8AeQ

Hope you find something that works for you. Adult acne is miserable.